Pneumatic actuator control system



` March 1, 1966 R. D. BECK ETAL 3,237,529

PNEUMATIC ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Filed June 12, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 THEIR ATTORNEYS March l, 1966 R. D. BECK ETAL 3,237,529

' PNEUMATIC ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Filed June l2, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 -msg INVENTORS ROLAND D. BECK HIDEO WATARI Y MM THEIR ATTORNEYS March l, 1966 R. D. BECK ETAL 3,237,529

PNEUMATIC ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Filed June l2, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 mwvwf BY THEIR ATTORNEYS March 1, 1966 R. D. BECK ETAL PNEUMATIC ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Filed June l2, 1964 .III

I HI4 United States Patent() 3,237,529 PNEUMATIC ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Roland D. Beck, Anaheim, and Hideo Watari, Garden Grove, Calif., assignors to Rohertshaw Controls Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 12, 1964, Ser. No. 374,721 4 Claims. (Cl. 91-413) This application is a continuation-in-part of the copending patent application S.N. 222,092, filed September 7, 1962, and entitled Valving Mechanism.

This invention relates to an improved washing machine system or the like as well as to an improved method for controlling such a washing machine system or the like.

It is well known that certain washing machine manufacturers have found that in order to remove most of the wash water from the clothes in a washing cornpartment of the washing machine between the washing cycle and a `subsequent rinse cycle or drying cycle, the clothes must have the water wrung therefrom by a spinning operation of the washing compartment whereby the Wash water therein is expelled by centrifugal force.

However, it has also been found that such spun clothes tend to retain residual amounts of soap suds which adversely affect the cleanliness of the clothes.

Therefore, certain manufacturers. provide means whereby rinse water will be sprayed into the washing compartment during the spinning operation thereof to remove or rinse out the residual soap suds from the spinning clothes.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide improved mean-s for causing a spray rinse during a spinning operation of the washing compartment and the like.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved `system for controlling the operation of a washing machine or the like, the system having one or more of the novel features of this invention, as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method for controlling the operation of a washing machine or the like, the method of this invention having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of the program means of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a rear view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top view of the program sheet of the program means illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 4 4 of FIGURE 3A FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 and is taken substantially on line 5 5 of FIGURE 3. t

FIGURE 6 is a front perspective view of the program means illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is an exploded, perspective View of parts of the program means illustrated in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 8 8 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a schematic view illustrating the improved washing machine ysystem of this invention.

FIGURE l() is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the system illustrated in FIGURE 9.

While the various features of this invention are here- Patented Mar. 1, 1966 "ice inafter described and illustrated as being particularly adaptable to control the operation of a washing machine or the like, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide control means for other devices as desired.

Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to only the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, an improved program means of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 and comprises a mounting plate 21 adapted to be mounted in a domestic washing machine or the like and carrying a rotatable program device 22 mounted for rotation on the righthand side of the mounting plate 21, the program device 22 being adapted to be `selectively positioned relative to the mounting plate 21 by a control knob 23 interconnected to a shaft 24 rotatably mounted in the mounting plate 21 and interconnected to the program device 22 in the manner hereinafter described.

However, the program device 22 could be selectively disposed relative to the mounting plate 21 by automatic or remotely controlled means if desired.

The program device 22 comprises an annular, flexible, hat ring or reading sheet 25 carried at the open end of an annular channel-like backup member 26 fastened to a bearing means 27 journaled in the mounting plate 21.

The space between the reading sheet 25 and the backup member 26 is filled with a porous, resilient material 28 for a purpose hereinafter described, the backup member 26 having a plurality of posts 29 extending therefrom and respectively being received in slots 30 of a member 31 fastened to the shaft 24. Thus, rotation of the shaft 24 by any suitable means causes the program device 22 to rotate relative to the mounting plate 21 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The mounting plate 21 carries a reading head 32 having a reading surface 33 engageable by the reading sheetr :head 32 by a compression spring 36 disposed between the member 31 and the backup member 26 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE l.

The reading sheet 25 has a plurality of indentations or closed blisters 37 formed therein to dene means for bridging two or more of the passages 34 in the reading surface 33 of the reading head 32 when a particular blister 37 is aligned therewith.

For example, reference is made to FIGURE 4 wherein it -can be seen that the particular blister 37A thereof is adapted to bridge two passage means 34A and 34B when 'the -blister 37A is in the proper position relative to the reading head 32, whereby a vacuum source can be interconnected to the passage 34A and be in turn interconnected to a vacuum-operated device interconnected to the passagel 34B. Thus the reading sheet 25 is adapted to interconnect the vacuum source with the particular vacuum-operated actuator "by means of the pattern of blisters 37 on the exible reading sheet 25.

The reading sheet 25 also has a plurality of aperture means 38 passing therethrough in a predetermined pattern so that when a particular aperture means 38 is aligned with one of the passage means 34 in the reading head 32, air is permitted to be interconnected to that particular passage 34 by passing through an aperture means in the backup member 26 and lflowing through the .porous resilient material 28 to enter the passage '34 through 'the particular aperture means 38.

For example, reference is made to FIGURE wherein it can be seen that the aperture 38A is aligned with the passage means 34B of the reading head 32 whereby the source of vacuum at the passage 34A is prevented from reaching the passage 34B by the reading sheet 25 and air is adapted to enter passage 34B through the aperture means 38A to permit the vacuum-operated actuator thereof to return to atmospheric conditions.

Therefore, it can be seen that by controlling the pattern of blisters, 37 and aperture means 38 in the reading sheet of this invention, the reading .sheet 25 is adapted 'to control the operation of a plurality of vacuum-operated actuators in a desired .sequence of operation thereof as the reading sheet 25 moves relative to the reading head 32.

One means for causing the reading sheet 25 to move relative to the reading head 32 at a predetermined rate will now be described.

As illustrated in FIGURES l and 2, the backup member 26 of the reading sheet 25 has an outwardly directed annular flange 39 provided with gear teeth 40 on the outer edge thereof whereby the gear teeth 40 provide a ring gear means for the reading sheet 25.

An electrical timer motor 41 is carried by the mounting plate 21 and has a rotatable shaft 42 projecting therefrom and interconnected to a pinion gear 43 by a clutch means 44.

Thus, when the electric timer motor 41 is energized, the same drives the pinion gear 43 in a proper direction and since the pinion gear 43 is disposed in meshing relation with the ring gear means 40 of the program device 22, the program device 22 is rotated relative to the reading head 32 at a desired rate of speed to cause operation of the washing machine or other device in a manner hereinafter described through the controlled pattern of blisters 37 and apertures 38 in the reading sheet 25.

The mounting plate 21 also carries a second program device 4'5 comprising a reading head 46 having a reading surface 47 interrupted by a pair of passage means 48 and 49 respectively interconnected to pneumatic means by conduit means 50 and 51 for a purpose hereinafter described. The program device 45 also includes a reading means 52.

As illustrated in FIGURE 7, the reading head 46 is adapted to -be secured to the mounting plate 21 by fastening means 53 and has a cylindrical extension 54 projecting centrally from the reading surface 47 thereof, the reading head 46 having a bore 55 passing centrally therethrough.

The reading means 52 includes a substantially flexible sheet 56, a porous lter and compressible material 57 and a rigid backing member 58.

The flexible reading sheet 56 has a bore 59 passing centrally therethrough and adapted to receive the tubular extension 54 of the reading head 46, the side 60 of the reading sheet 56 having a plurality of indentations or channels 61 formed therein in any desired pattern in a manner similar to the channel 37 previously described. Also, the reading sheet 56 has a plurality of apertures 62 passing therethrough for the same purpose as the apertures 38 previously described.

The rigid backing member 58 has a cup-shaped central portion 63 formed therein and defined by a tubular wall 64 integrally interconnected to a transverse wall 65 having a bore 66 passing centrally therethrough and being adapted to receive the tubular extension 54 of the reading head 56 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8.

If desired, the end wall 65 of the backing member 58 can have a pair of pushed-out tab means (not shown) which are adapted to register with slots 67 formed in the reading sheet 56 whereby rotational movement of the backing member 58 in a manner hereinafter described causes like rotational movement of the reading sheet 56 because the backing member 58 and reading sheet 56 are splined together.

The porous and compressible material 57 can comprise any suitable material, such as foamed plastic or the like, and has a bore 68 passing therethrough and adapted to receive the tubular extension 63 of the :backing member 58 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8.

The backing member 58 is provided with slot means 69 for a purpose hereinafter described.

A drive shaft '70 is adapted to project through the v bores 55, 59, 68 and 66 of the reading head 46, reading sheet 56, compressible material 57 and backing member 58 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8 and has a collar 71 adapted to abut a tubular extension 72 projecting centrally from the rear surface 73 of the reading head 46 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 8.

The free end of the drive shaft 70 has a transverse 'bore 74 passing therethrough to receive a drive pin 7'5 adapted to be received in the slot means 69 of the backing member 58 to cause rotation of the backing member 58 upon rotation of the drive shaft 70.

The drive pin 75 and the drive shaft 70 are so constructed and arranged that the drive pin 75 causes the backing member 58 to have the end wall 65 thereof pressed into engagement with the reading sheet 56 in the manner illustrated in 'FIGURE 8 whereby the compressible material 57 is placed under compression Ibetween the backing member 58 and the reading sheet 56.

In this manner, the compressed material 57 forces the side 60 of the reading sheet 56 into sealing engagement with the reading surface 47 of the reading head 46.

Thus, upon rotation of the drive shaft 70 in the desired direction, the drive pin 75 causes like rotational movement of the backing member 58 whereby the backing member 58, through the tab means (not shown) engaging in the slots 67 of the reading sheet 56, causes the reading sheet 56 to rotate in unison therewith relative to the reading surface 47 of the reading head 46.

However, if such tab means and slot means 67 were not provided, the friction created between the material 57 and the reading sheet 56 would cause the reading sheet 56 to rotate in unison with the backing member 58, if desired.

A pinion gear 76 is carried on the drive shaft 70 and is disposed in meshing relation With the ring gear means 40 of the rst program device 22.

Thus, upon actuation of the timer motor 41, not only is the first program device 22 rotated relative to the reading head 32 through the meshing relation of the pinion gear means 44 and the ring gear means 40, but also the second reading device 52 is rotated relative to the second reading head 46 by the meshing relation of the pinion gear means 76 with the ring gear means 40 of the program device 22 whereby the single timer motor 41 drives both of the reading devices 22 and 52 in unison for a purpose now to be described.

As illustrated in FIGURE 9, the control" system of this invention for a domestic Washing machine or the like is generally indicated by the reference numeral 77 and includes the reading head 32 and reading head 46 previously described.

As illustrated in FIGURE 9, the reading head 32 has the passages 34 thereof interrupting the reading surface 33 to form a plurality of aligned ports 78-92 adapted to be interconnected to a plurality of devices in a manner now to be described.

A vacuum pump 93 is provided for the system 77 and has its inlet interconnected to the ports 79 and 90 by conduit means 94 and 95.

Also, the inlet side of the vacuum pump 93 is interconnected to ports 83 and 87 of the reading head 32 by a conduit means 96 having a water level control 97 controlling the suction through the line 96. In addition, the line 96 is interconnected to the port 48 in the reading head 46, the port 49 in the reading head 46 being interconnected to the port 86 in the reading head 32 for a purpose hereinafter described.

The port 78 in the reading head 32 is interconnected to a vacuum-operated actuator 98 by a conduit means 99 to control closing of a high speed actuated switch 100 of the main motor 101 of the washing machine, the port 80 being connected to a vacuum-operated actuator102 by a 4conduit means 103 whereby the actuator 102 operates the low speed side of the switch 104 controlling the main motor 101.

The ports 81 and 82 of the reading head 32 are respectively interconnected to ports 105 and 106 of a reading head v107'by conduits'108 .and..109, the reading head 107 being read by` manually-operated selector reading sheet 110 for controlling the operation of a water mixing valve 111 adapted to introduce water into the washing compartment of the washing machine.

The portV 84 of the reading head 32 is interconnected to the vacuum-operated actuator 112 of the water mixing valve 111 by a conduit means 113, the actuator112 lcontrolling the introduction of cold water to lthe mixing valve 111 in a conventional manner.

The port 85 in the reading head 32 is interconnected to a port 114 in the reading head 107 by a conduit means 115. In addition, the conduit means 113 is interconnected to a port 116 in the reading head 107 by a branch conduit 117.

Another pair of ports 118 and 119 in the reading head 107 are respectively interconnected to a vacuum-operated actuator 120 of the water mixing valve 111 by a conduit means 121, the vacuum-operated actuator 120 controlling the flow of hot water to the mixing valve 111.

The port 88 in the reading head 32 is interconnected to a vacuum-operated actuator 122 by a conduit means 123, the actuator 122 being adapted to close a valve 124 to interconnect a vacuum line conduit means 125 with an actuator 126 that controls the spinning operation of the washing compartment of the washing machine.

The operation of the control system 77 of a domestic washing machine or the like will now be described, it being understood that various of the parts of the system illustrated in FIGURE 9 have not been described even though the same are illustrated as the operation thereof will be fully understood hereinafter and that the nondescribed parts of the system 77 do not form a limitation on this invention and, thus, need not be further described.

The housewife or the like who is to operate the system 77 rst decides what type of water she wishes to use with the particular operation of the washing machine and makes the selection by manually moving the reading sheet 110 to the proper position as illustrated.

Thereafter, the operator moves the program device 22 to the proper position by the control knob 23 to select either a normal, delicate or wash-and-wear cycle of the washing machine as illustrated in FIGURE 10, the clutch means 44 on the timer motor 41 permitting such movement of the program device 22 relative thereto without actuation of the motor 41.

After the operator has made the selection of the water temperature and the desired cycle of the washing machine, the operator turns on the washing machine in any convenional manner whereby not only is the timer motor 41 energized but also the main motor 101 of the washing machine and the motor driving the vacuum pump.

Since the timer motor 41 is now operating, the same through the pinion gear 43 rotates the program device 22 relative to the mounting plate 21 whereby the reading sheet 25 moves relative to the reading surface 33 of the reading head 32 to control the operation of the system 77 through the blisters 37 and aperture means 38.

However, assuming that the normal cycle has been selected, after the timer motor 41 has been running approximately sixteen minutes, a particular blister 37 of the reading sheet 25 bridges the ports 87 and 88 to inter- 6 connect the vacuum source with the vacuum actuator 122 to cause the washing compartment to spin to tend to remove the wash water from the spinning clothes in a conventional manner.

While the washing compartment is spinning in the above manner, at approximatelyv the eighteen-minute interval of the operation of the system 77, a blister 37 of the reading sheet 25 bridges the port 86 as well as the port 85 and/ or the port 84 to .tend to cause operation of the water mixing valve 111 in the desired sequence` of operation thereof as controlled by the selecting reading sheet 110.

However, since` the port 86 in the reading head 32 is interconnected .to the port 49 of the readingl head 46, no operation of the watermixing valve.111 takes place until the reading sheet 56 of the readingdevice 52 interconnects together the ports 48 and 49 of the reading head 46 by a blister 61 thereof.

Thus, it can be seen that the introduction of rinse water ,into the washing compartment during the spinning operation thereof `is under the exclusive control ofthe reading Sheet 56 in combination with the Areading sheet. 25.

The blisters 61-and aperture means 62 are so constructed and arranged in the reading sheet 56 that the reading device 52 causes Vintermittent operation of the water mixing valve 111 to provide intermittent sprays of rinse water into the washing compartment of the washing machine during the spinning operation of the washing compartment.

For example, the reading sheet 56 can be so constructed and arranged that the same provides periods of spray rinses of the duration of seven seconds with intermediate periods of no spraying for twenty-four seconds and the like.

ln this manner, intermittent sprays of rinse water can be introduced into the washing compartment of the washing machine during the spinning operation thereof to rinse away the residue of soap suds in the clothes being spun by the washing compartment.

Accordingly, it can be seen from FIGURE 10 that in any of the selected cycles for the operation of the washing machine system 77, the combination of the program device 52 with the program device 22 provides intermittent sprays of rinse water during part of the spinning cycle of the washing compartment to rinse the residue of soap suds from the clothes being spun in the washing compartment.

Accordingly, it can be seen that not only does this invention provide an improved washing machine system 4or the like wherein rinse water is provided in the washing compartment during the spinning operation of the washing compartment, but also this invention provides an improved method for operating such a washing machine or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a pneumatic source, a plurality of pneumatically operated actuator means, a first program member for controlling the operation of certain of said actuating means by sequentially interconnecting and disconnecting said source to and from said certain actuating means, a second program member for operating the remaining actuator means by sequentially interconnecting and disconnecting said source to and from said remaining actuator means, said second program member being moved by said irst program member, said iirst program lmember comprising a flexible reading sheet interconnected to -a rigid backing member with porous compressible material therebetween, said backing member having an outer periphery dening gear means, said second program member comprising a flexible reading sheet interconnected to a rigid backing member with a porous compressible material therebetween, a drive shaft interconnected to said backing member of said second program member, and

gear means carried by said drive shaft and disposed in meshing relation with said gear means -of said* first program member whereby movement of said backing member of said first program member causes movement of said backing member of said second program member.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 and including a timer motor for moving said backing member of said first program member.

3. In combination, a pneumatic source, a plurality of pneumatically operated actuator means, a first rotatable program member for controlling the operation of certain of said actuating means by sequentially interconnecting and disconnecting said source to and from said certain actuator means as said first program member rotates, a second rotatable program member for operating the remaining actuating means by sequentially interconnecting and disconnecting said source to and from said remaining actuator means as said second program member rotates, said second program member being rotated by rotation of said first program member, said first program member comprising a flexible reading sheet interconnected to a rigid backing member with porous compressible material therebetween, said backing member having an outer periphery 8 defining ring gear means, said second program member comprising a flexible reading sheet interconnected to a rigid backing member with a porous compressible material therebetween, a drive shaft interconnected to said backing -member of said second program member, and pinion gear References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,855,912 10/1958 Stucke. 2,960,856 1l/1960 lBauerlein et al 68-l2 g 3,128,615 4/1964 Mahaffay 68-12 ISADOR WEIL, Primary Examz'nler.

WILLIAM I. PRICE, WILLIAM F. ODEA, Examiners.. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A PNEUMATIC SOURCE, A PLURALITY OF PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED ACTUATOR MEANS, A FIRST PROGRAM MEMBER FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF CERTAIN OF SAID ACTUATING MEANS BY SEQUENTIALLY INTERCONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING SAID SOURCE TO AND FROM SAID CERTAIN ACTUATING MEANS, A SECOND PROGRAM MEMBER FOR OPERATING THE REMAINING ACTUATOR MEANS BY SEQUENTIALLY INTERCONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING SAID SOURCE TO AND FROM SAID REMAINING ACTUATOR MEANS, SAID SECOND PROGRAM MEMBER BEING MOVED BY SAID FIRST PROGRAM MEMBER, SAID FIRST PROGRAM MEMBER COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE READING SHEET INTRECONNECTED TO A RIGID BACKING MEMBER WITH POROUS COMPRESSIBLE MATERIAL THEREBETWEEN, SAID BACKING MEMBER HAVING AN OUTER PERIPHERY DEFINING GEAR MEANS, SAID SECOND PROGRAM MEMBER COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE READING SHEET INTERCONNECTED TO A RIGID BACKING MEMBER WITH A POROUS COMPRESSIBLE MATERIAL THEREBETWEEN, A DRIVE SHAFT INTERCONNECTED TO SAID BACKING MEMBER OF SAID SECOND PROGRAM MEMBER, AND GEAR MEANS CARRIED BY SAID DRIVE SHAFT AND DISPOSED IN MESHING RELATION WITH SAID GEAR MEANS OF SAID FIRST PROGRAM MEMBER WHEREBY MOVEMENT OF SAID BACKING MEMBER OF SAID FIRST PROGRAM MEMEBER CAUSES MOVEMENT OF SAID BACKING MEMBER OF SAID SECOND PROGRAM MEMBER. 